This weekend’s premiere of “A Dog’s Purpose,” starring Dennis Quaid, has been canceled following the release of a video that appears to show a frightened dog being forced into churning water during production of the film. (Joe Lederer/Universal Pictures via AP)

LOS ANGELES — This weekend’s premiere of “A Dog’s Purpose” has been canceled following the release of a video that appears to show a frightened dog being forced into churning water during production of the film.

They say in a joint statement that Universal decided to cancel the premiere because Amblin’s review of the video is ongoing and they don’t want “anything to overshadow this film that celebrates the relationship between animals and humans.”

“While we are all disheartened by the appearance of an animal in distress, everyone has assured us that Hercules the German Shepherd was not harmed throughout the filmmaking,” the statement said.